The Lagos State Government has activated its Emergency Response Committee following an outbreak of diphtheria in the boarding house of King’s College, Victoria Island Annexe.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, urged the public not to panic, assuring that an Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) has been mobilized to contain the outbreak and prevent fatalities.
“The outbreak is under control, and there is no need to panic,” Abayomi said. “Measures will continue in earnest to protect our citizens from infectious disease outbreaks.”
The first case was a 12-year-old boy who presented with a sore throat and fever at the school’s health facility on February 22. He was referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where he was treated with antibiotics and a full dose of diphtheria antitoxin. However, despite medical intervention, he succumbed to severe myocarditis—an inflammation of the heart caused by the bacterial toxin—on March 6.
“At the time of his death, 34 close contacts of the deceased were already under observation. Fourteen of them later developed symptoms consistent with diphtheria and were transported to LUTH for screening,” Abayomi disclosed.
Following medical evaluation, 12 students were diagnosed with early-stage diphtheria and admitted for treatment. So far, all symptomatic students are recovering, and no additional cases have been reported.
A preliminary inspection of King’s College Annexe revealed lapses in infection prevention and control, which health officials are addressing immediately. In response to the outbreak, the state government and federal health agencies are launching a targeted vaccination campaign for all students of the school, as well as healthcare workers, to bolster immunity.
Lagos currently has nearly 500,000 doses of diphtheria vaccine in stock, which will be strategically deployed to high-risk areas. In addition, information leaflets detailing symptoms, prevention, and treatment are being distributed across healthcare facilities, and a public health announcement is being prepared to sensitize residents.
Health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), have been notified and are collaborating with the state government to coordinate an effective response.
“The key to preventing further spread is early detection and treatment,” Abayomi emphasized. “Let’s all work together to curb this outbreak and protect our communities.”
Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the throat, causing fever, swollen neck glands, and breathing difficulties. If untreated, the bacterial toxin can lead to organ failure, including damage to the heart, lungs, and nerves. It is preventable through full vaccination, good hygiene, avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces, and prompt medical intervention.